An MP has called on residents to support local and independent retailers this weekend as part of "Small Business Saturday".

The event, backed by MP for Congleton Fiona Bruce, is a grassroots campaign that encourages shoppers to "shop local" and support smaller businesses in their communities. It will be running on Saturday, December 2 with millions of businesses throughout the country taking part.

Ms Bruce has backed the campaign, which is now in its fifth year, every year since it started and said: "Independently owned and run small businesses are crucial to the local economy in this constituency, play an essential role in providing goods, services, and jobs in a friendly local way.

"I am proud to support the Small Business Saturday campaign. Everyone benefits when we shop and use the services of local independent business as not only do we support them and enjoy the community relationships they promote, but also all the evidence shows that much more of the money we spend stays within the local economy when we do so.”

Christine Redstone, owner of Redstone Willows in Alsager, which grows and weaves willow products and provides training in willow weaving, said: “Supporting a local business like Redstone Willows keeps money in the local community, allows our customers to have a special connection with the artists, enriching the community flavour and identity, gives customers access to better customer service and, in our case, to baskets and sculptures made entirely by our own hands, something that chain stores just cannot supply.”

Holmes Chapel resident Ian Mallon who runs Neon Freight, an international shipping company providing first class freight services based in Somerford said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, with people taking huge risks and working vast amount of hours to get them off the ground. A small business is more likely to re-invest in the area and create local (and flexible) jobs. A small business can be quicker to adjust to new trends and technology and very often much more environmentally and socially responsible than a big company. Any support is very much appreciated!”

Ms Bruce added: “This coming weekend, in support of Small Business Saturday, I shall be out and about right across the constituency, supporting businesses I regularly shop at such as Chisholm’s Newsagents in Middlewich where I get my papers, Devaney’s Butcher shop where I shall, once again, be ordering my Christmas turkey, and Davenport’s clothing shop in Congleton – where my husband appreciates the personal service such as speedy alterations. There is a great atmosphere at Gather Café in Congleton where you can be guaranteed a warm welcome and a friendly face.

“In Sandbach, there is a great variety at the Indoor Market with lots of vibrant stalls and fresh local produce –and I am excited to hear of the ‘brilliant’ plans to improve Sandbach Indoor Market with revamped stalls, more storage space, improved lighting and electric doors and updated restrooms including new baby changing facilities. There really is a small business for everyone to support at Sandbach Indoor Market on Small Business Saturday, and I am looking forward to the usual hearty welcome from the traders.”